DOCSLIB.ORG

Weaving Peace in Rwanda Rwanda Has the Third Highest Percentage of Women Entrepreneurs of Any Country in Africa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Weaving Peace in Rwanda Rwanda Has the Third Highest Percentage of Women Entrepreneurs of Any Country in Africa Weaving peace in Rwanda Rwanda has the third highest percentage of women entrepreneurs of any country in Africa. Forty-one percent of businesses are run by women. Only Ghana, with 44%, and Cape Verde, at 43%, have more women active in business. Janet Nkubana ow did this come about? Part of the answer Much of this C O M P A N Y P R O F I L E His: through tragedy. Following the 1994 success is due to Business Name: Gahaya Links genocide 70% of Rwanda’s population was Gahaya Links, a Business Type: Handicrafts female. Even today, over a third of households Kigali-based Annual Turnover: US$300,000 Employee Number: 3,000 are headed by women. There is a brighter side to business run by Business Reach: Africa, USA the answer too: government reforms have helped the sisters Janet tremendously expand opportunities for women. Nkubana and Joy Rwanda was the first African country to enter Ndungutse. In 2007, the business produced the top-10 reformers’ list in the Doing Business 35,000 baskets with annual sales of project. This has opened more possibilities for US$300,000. From its beginnings just over a women to benefit from business activity. decade ago, with 27 weavers, it now employs 3,200 women from across Rwanda. The basket Here is one story. A basket weaving tradition weaving groups include both Hutu and Tutsi from the landlocked nation of Rwanda is now women, for whom working together helps heal making its way from the department store Macy’s old grievances. Hence the name: peace baskets. to American households, changing in the process Says Janet: “I have survivors, I have widows, I the lives of thousands of Rwandan women. In have women whose husbands are in prison. To 2005, American talk show icon Oprah Winfrey see them sitting under one roof weaving and promoted Rwanda’s “peace baskets” in her doing business together is a huge magazine, causing a surge in demand. Proceeds achievement…these women are now together, from the export of peace baskets to the US have earning an income. It is amazing.” impacted more than 18,000 Rwandan children, who have better schooling and health as a result. Despite Janet and Joy’s international success, trading across borders from land-locked Rwanda is still a major business challenge. Rwanda ranks RWANDA only 166 among the 178 economies in the Population 9.2 million Doing Business 2008 report on the Trading GNI per capita $250 across Borders indicator. It takes, on average, Doing Business global ranking 150/178 47 days to fulfill the necessary requirements for Doing Business trading across borders # exporting cargo. And a standard shipment costs ranking 166/178 nearly $3,000 in fees. DOING BUSINESS WOMEN IN AFRICA WEAVING PEACE IN RWANDA 7 Janet is now advising the Rwandan government A long family tradition meant that weaving was to simplify export processes and lower transport familiar territory for the sisters. “I grew up in a costs. Among the recommendations she would weaving home. My mother is a master weaver. like to see: She used to do all the bead work and basket • the extension of customs opening hours to weaving in the refugee camp {in Uganda},” says 10 p.m. as this would reduce the waiting time Janet. “Weaving was a second nature to me.” at borders for truck drivers arriving late. Indeed, basket weaving is an old tradition • Faster reimbursements of duties paid on raw among women in Rwanda. Unique to Rwanda, material imports. the basket—now known as the “peace basket”— • The creation of a joint border inspection post is on the national seal and currency. at the Ugandan border which would eliminate repeat inspections that currently take place. These pagoda-shaped baskets were historically • An advanced cargo information exchange and made as wedding gifts, and are hand-crafted cargo tracking system amongst the customs from enzyme-washed papyrus and banana leaf. authorities in East Africa. The traditional zigzag design tells an ancient story of friends walking together, visiting Starting out neighboring villages along the way. Janet Nkubana returned home from exile in The baskets were a hit, and she realized that there Uganda in November 1994. She was now was a bigger business opportunity. The sisters running a hotel in Rwanda’s capital Kigali and started with 27 women weavers and used a kept running into women hawking baskets in mixture of personal savings and funds from front of her hotel. At first, Janet tried to winning a World Bank business plan contest to convince them to move their business elsewhere buy raw materials for their craftswomen. The and not pester her clients. This didn’t work, as business was formally registered in 2004 and hotel guests were among the few people with proceeds from a property sale helped them open money to spend. Then one day an inspiration a showroom in Kigali. came: she set up a small shop in the hotel and would also take their baskets to sell at flea While women returning from exile were more markets when visiting her sister, Joy, who lived likely to have funds to purchase land, it was not in the United States. until 1999 that changes to Rwanda’s matrimonial and succession law gave women clear and equal property rights, including the right to inherit land. The law overrides traditional customs excluding women from land and property WOMEN IN RWANDA ownership. That Rwanda has the highest Female literacy rate 59.8% percentage of women parliamentarians in the Percent of women in formal labor force 51% world, at 45.3%, has resulted in laws promoting equal opportunity for women. Seats in parliament 45.3% # Gender Equity Index Ranking 3/154 8 WEAVING PEACE IN RWANDA DOING BUSINESS WOMEN IN AFRICA Going for growth: her participation in a New York trade show in obstacles and opportunities 2005.2 It was there that Janet made the link with Macy’s buyers and reconnected with Willa Shalit of In 2003, Marie Claire magazine published one Fair Winds Trading, Inc., a marketing and trade of the first stories about Rwanda’s peace baskets company importing African crafts, who had and even sold over 1,000 baskets through orders previously visited her in Rwanda. This event placed with the magazine. After that, the brought about a transformation of her business, photographer for that article, Willa Shalit, an established Fair Winds Trading as a partner, and artist and a producer of “The Vagina marked the birth of their joint venture Rwanda Monologues,” saw a chance to help the women Path to Peace. “Willa is now our exclusive importer expand their business making the sisal baskets, of baskets to the United States. This helps us focus which are used to carry wedding gifts. on production,” says Janet. “What struck me,” she told The first Macy’s order was the New York Times, “was widely covered by the that these women who’d media and Rwanda’s suffered so horribly— President, Paul who’d been raped, Kagame, inaugurated machete-hacked and the event at Macy’s watched their flagship store in children get killed New York. — had created this Following the object that was so opening, Macy’s set exquisite and up a window display elegant, with tiny, in its New York store even stitches.” The fact in 2005, and a feature that the weaving groups on the website. The included both Hutus and standard size is 12 by 7 Tutsis, heightened the appeal. inches and costs $75. One- “I thought, what an incredible third of the retail price of sold embodiment of reconciliation,” Ms. baskets goes to the weavers. Shalit said.1 Getting the baskets from the basket weavers to the There was a hitch. The baskets were beautifully Macy’s window display has not been easy. “We had woven, but thin and flimsy looking. They to go through a lot of redesign, a lot of trial and needed a redesign. Enter Gahaya Links. Its error,” says Janet. Working with Joy who is the weavers made firmer baskets using banana bark designer and oversees training to ensure quality and papyrus. These would sell well on the US control, Fair Winds Trading has helped develop the market. Needed - only a retailer. products to meet international standards. Initially, Gahaya Links had trouble meeting buyer demand, After a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, but managed to build its capacity over time by Janet was linked with USAID, which sponsored hiring and training more and more women. DOING BUSINESS WOMEN IN AFRICA WEAVING PEACE IN RWANDA 9 benefit of their business. When Janet found out The Ease of Trading Across Borders that Rwanda had joined the African Growth and 200 Opportunity Act, which allows Rwanda’s crafts 150 duty-free entry into the U.S. market, she went to the US embassy to find out about it. Baskets woven 100 by the Gahaya Links weavers are now are the 50 number one export out of Rwanda under this Act. 0 Still, there are a number of challenges, which all exporters in Rwanda have to deal with. Shipping Source: Doing Business 2008. costs have been high and it usually takes a long In a building that used to be their mother’s house, time for the goods to reach the buyer. Janet and Joy have set up a large company site, Inadequate infrastructure, and the fact that the including a sleeping room for women trainees, a shipments have to pass through the poor port restaurant, a show room, and a packaging and services at Mombassa, Kenya, has meant that it storage facility.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT In-House Counsel on December 16 at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria JUSTICE AWARD - FEBRUARY 11 Hotel
    COUNTYNEW YORK LAWYER January / February 2009 Visit us at www.nycla.org Volume 5 / Number 1 NYCLA’s Centennial Dinner INSIDE Honors Corporate In-House Counsel BLACK HISTORY MONTH GLORIA BROWNE-MARSHALL NYCLA’s Centennial year culminated with a gala dinner honoring 59 corporate TO RECEIVE IDA B. WELLS-BARNETT in-house counsel on December 16 at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria JUSTICE AWARD - FEBRUARY 11 Hotel. The 1,200 attorneys, judges, govern- PG. 2 ment officials, members of academia and guests bade farewell to Hon. Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of the State of New York, the Dinner’s keynote speaker, who ETHICS INSTITUTE UPDATE was stepping down from the bench at the end of the year having reached the 70-year BY LEWIS TESSER retirement age. Judge Kaye was the first PG woman to occupy the State Judiciary's . 3 highest office when she was appointed in 1993 and became the longest-serving Chief Judge in the State’s history. DECONSTRUCTING THE The Dinner’s theme, “Honoring Corporate In-House Counsel,” acknowl- BAR EXAM edged and celebrated the invaluable work that corporate law departments have done PG. 6 on behalf of their clients and the legal sys- tem, as well as the leadership and dedica- tion of corporate General Counsels. “This evening is a wonderful conclusion Pictured are the Corporate Counsel who were honored standing with Hon. Judith S. Kaye 2008 FEDERAL (second row, far left) and NYCLA President Ann B. Lesk (second row, second from right). to NYCLA’s Centennial Celebration,” AND TATE EGISLATIVE declared Ann.
    [Show full text]
  • WELCOME to V-DAY's 2003 PRESS KIT Thank You for Taking the First Step in Helping to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls
    WELCOME TO V-DAY’S 2003 PRESS KIT Thank you for taking the first step in helping to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day relies on the media to help get the word out about the global reach and long-lasting effects of violence. With your assistance, we hope your audience is compelled to take action to stop the violence, rape, domestic battery, incest, female genital mutilation, sexual slavery—that many women and girls face every day around the world. Our goal is to provide media with everything you need to present the most interesting and meaningful story possible. If you require additional information or interviews, please contact Susan Celia Swan at [email protected] . In addition, you can find all of our press releases (including the most recent) posted at our site in the Press Release section. Thank you again for joining V-Day in our fight to end violence against women and girls. Susan Celia Swan Jerri Lynn Fields Media & Communications Executive Director 212-445-3288 914-835-6740 CONTENTS OF THIS KIT Page 1: Welcome To V-Day’s 2003 Press Kit Page 2: 2003 Vision Statement Page 3: 2003 Launch Press Release Page 7: About V-Day and Mission Statement Page 8: Star Support: The Vulva Choir Page 11: Quote Sheet Page 12: Biography of V-Day Founder and Artistic Director/Playwright Eve Ensler Page 13: Take Action to Stop Violence Page 14: V-Day College and Worldwide Campaigns Page 15: Selected Media Coverage Page 38: Selected Press Releases V-DAY 2003: FROM V-DAY TO V-WORLD Last year V-Day happened in 800 venues around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Models for Trade Related Private Sector Partnerships for Development
    Models for Trade-Related Private Sector Partnerships for Development January 2013 by Shannon Kindornay and Kate Higgins with Michael Olender i Acknowledgements This report was commissioned by the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada with support by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). This report does not reflect the views or opinions of The North-South Institute, its Board of Directors, TFO Canada, CIDA, or anyone consulted in its preparation. The authors would like to thank those who took the time to speak with the researchers and/or provided useful information in the completion of the project templates. The authors would also like to thank Tara Leitan (TL Consulting), Brian Mitchell (TFO Canada), Fauzya Moore (CIDA), John Watson (consultant), and Kernaghan Webb (Ted Rogers School of Management and Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility, Ryerson University) for their useful and insightful comments on earlier drafts. Any errors and omissions are our own. ii Abbreviations AbTF Aid by Trade Foundation ACA African Cashew Alliance ACI African Cashew Initiative AGOA African Growth and Opportunities Act (US) AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome AVEGA Association des Veuves du Génocide d’Avril B2B Business to Business program (Denmark) B&T Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate BCI Better Cotton Initiative BCFTP Better Cotton Fast Track Program BCS Better Cotton Standard BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CmiA Cotton Made in Africa COCOBOD Ghana Cocoa Marketing Board CP Cocoa Partnership DAC Development Assistance Committee DANIDA Danish Internationals Development Agency DKK Danish Krone EFAL Ethical Fashion Africa Ltd. EU European Union FRICH Food Retail Industry Challenge Fund (UK) FTF From the Field Trading Company GDA Global Development Alliance program (US) GDP Gross Domestic Product GIZ German Agency for International Cooperation GS Green Shoots Productions HIV human immunodeficiency virus HRNS Hanns R.
    [Show full text]
  • Monologi Waginy
    Eve Enserl Monologi waginy Jeżeli nauczymy się afirmować kobiecą seksualność, cieszyć się nią, przestaniemy się jej wstydzić - łatwiej będziemy się też bronić przed przemocą i wszelkimi rodzajami opresji. Waginie też należy się święto. Kinga Dunin, „Wysokie Obcasy” Eve Ensler jest poetką, scenarzystką filmową, a przede wszystkim autorką licznych sztuk teatralnych, m.in. The Deput, Floating Rhodn and the Glue Man, Extraordinary Measu- res, Ladies, Lemonade, Necessary Targets. Monologi wagini/ przyniosły jej w 1997 roku pre- stiżową nagrodę OBIE, a sukces, który odniosły na scenach całego świata (inscenizowane były z udziałem m.in. Glenn Close, Kate Blanchett, Kate Winsłet i Meryl Streep), stał się początkiem globalnego ruchu V-Day, skierowanego przeciwko przemocy wobec kobiet. przełożyła Anna Kołyszko Dla Ariel, która kołysze mi pochwę i rozsadza serce Przedmowa Glorii Steinem Pochodzę z pokolenia „rzeczy samej”. Bo tymi słowy - wypowiadanymi rzadko, ści- szonym głosem - kobiety z naszej rodziny określały wszystkie żeńskie narządy płciowe, we- wnętrzne czy zewnętrzne. Nie dlatego, że nie znały terminów „pochwa”, „wargi sromowe”, „srom” czy „łech- taczka”. Przeciwnie, były z wykształcenia nauczycielkami, toteż miały zapewne lepszy do- stęp do informacji niż większość rówieśniczek. Nie można im też zarzucić, że były niewyzwolone lub „pruderyjne”, jak same by to ujęły. Jedna moja babka zarabiała na życie pisaniem kazań - w których ani jedno słowo nie wierzyła - dla surowego Kościoła protestanckiego, a resztę dorabiała, grając na wyścigach. Druga była sufrażystką, pedagożką, a nawet działaczką polityczną, co w owym czasie napa- wało zgrozą wielu przedstawicieli jej żydowskiego środowiska. Matka była jedną z pierw- szych reporterek w gazecie jeszcze przed moim urodzeniem. Zawsze szczyciła się tym, że wychowuje obie córki w bardziej oświeconym duchu, niż wychowano ją.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloading V-Day's Brochure on the Plight Ofwomen in Afghanistan
    GLOBAL NETWORKING FOR CHANGE: VIRTUAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS Liane Curtis Graduate Program in Communications Department ofArt History and Communication Studies McGill University, Montreal July 2002 A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements ofthe degree ofMaster ofArts © Liane Curtis 2002 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisisitons et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A DN4 Ottawa ON K1A DN4 Canada Canada Your file Votre référence ISBN: 0-612-85848-0 Our file Notre référence ISBN: 0-612-85848-0 The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant à la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts from it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou aturement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Canada ABSTRACT This thesis explores how women's organizations are using communication technologies and strategies for global social change. In 2002, the combination of CUITent feminist theory that highlights issues of cultural specificity and digital communications technology is enabling new possibilities for women's organizations to engage in global feminist practices.
    [Show full text]
  • Noeleen Heyzer Oral History Content Summary
    Noeleen Heyzer Oral History Content Summary Track 1 [53:23] [session one] Noeleen Heyzer [NH] Born Singapore immediately after WWII. Describes as difficult time, impact of war and colonial powers, Singapore as destination for migrant workers from India, Armenia, bonded workers from China. Story about maternal grandmother, a Mui Tsai bonded girl with four children, NH’s mother placed in orphanage, uncle in Raffles Lighthouse, refuge from execution. Describes father’s arrival from Calcutta, India, links with Dutch burghers, British Army. Discusses wartime jobs as unrelated to professional certification, use of Ayurvedic medicine and practical measures, and impact of post-war professionalization, families falling into deep poverty with skills no longer acknowledged. [05:02] Describes growing up in slum community of migrants, mother’s long work hours, NH not attending school until age eight, environment of radicalism and debate in fight against colonialism. Discusses Western understanding of oppression of women as embedded in family, NH distinguishing Eastern countries and social system impacted by colonialism and abuse of labor, sense of outrage developed. Describes characteristics of women in own environment, sisterhoods established before term Feminism. Describes Mui Tsai construction workers and ‘White and Black’ costumed caregivers, setting own standards. Acknowledges own learning through life experience. [10:00] Describes circumstances after mother’s death when NH aged six, grandmother’s conversion to Christianity, enabling NH first attendance of school aged eight. Mentions Cambridge International Examinations. Describes women in family and exposure to different class and perspectives in elitist school, NH questioning power. Reflects on concept of family and sisterhoods unrelated by blood.
    [Show full text]
  • V-DAY's 2005 PRESS KIT Thank You for Taking the First Step in Helping To
    WELCOME TO V-DAY’S 2005 PRESS KIT Thank you for taking the first step in helping to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day relies on the media to help get the word out about the global reach and long-lasting effects of violence. With your assistance, we hope your audience is compelled to take action to stop the violence, rape, domestic battery, incest, female genital mutilation, sexual slavery—that many women and girls face every day around the world. Our goal is to provide media with everything you need to present the most interesting and meaningful story possible. If you require additional information or interviews, please contact Susan Celia Swan at [email protected]. In addition, you can find all of our press releases (including the most recent) posted at our site in the Press Release section. Thank you again for joining V-Day in our fight to end violence against women and girls. Susan Celia Swan Jerri Lynn Fields Media & Communications Executive Director 212-253-1823 914-835-6740 CONTENTS OF THIS KIT Page 1: Welcome To V-Day’s 2005 Press Kit Page 2: V-Day 2005 Overview Press Release Page 5: About V-Day and Mission Statement Page 6: Star Support: The Vulva Choir Page 9: Quote Sheet Page 10: Biography of V-Day Founder and Artistic Director/Playwright Eve Ensler Page 11: Take Action to Stop Violence Page 12: V-Day College and Worldwide Campaigns Page 13: Selected Media Coverage Page 48: Selected Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Celia Swan (212) 253-1823 [email protected] V-DAY 2005: VAGINA WARRIORS LEAD THE WAY FIRST BOOK - VAGINA WARRIORS - FEATURING CELEBRITIES AND ACTIVISTS TO BE RELEASED BY BULFINCH PRESS FEBRUARY 2005 V-DAY’S EMMY AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY UNTIL THE VIOLENCE STOPS TO BE RELEASED FOR RENTAL BY NETFLIX AND FOR PURCHASE BY DOCURAMA IN EARLY 2005 V-DAY 2005 SPOTLIGHT ON WOMEN OF IRAQ: UNDER SIEGE MORE COLLEGE V-DAY BENEFITS THAN EVER! Thousands of community-based V-Day benefit events of The Vagina Monologues to take place February - March 2005 in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of College in a Maximum-Security Prison
    Collaborative Research by The Graduate Center of the City Un i versity of New Yo rk &Women in Prison at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility S M THE IMPACT OF COLLEGE IN A MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON MICHELLE FINE, MARIA ELENA TORRE, KATHY BOUDIN, IRIS BOWEN, JUDITH CLARK, DONNA HYLT O N , MIGDALIA MARTINEZ, “MISSY”, ROSEMARIE A. ROBERTS, PAMELA SMART, DEBORA UPEGUI with a Re i n c a rceration Analysis conducted by The New Yo rk State De p a rtment of Correctional Se rv i c e s September 2001 CHANGING MINDS The Impact of College in a Maximum-Security Prison: Effects on Women in Prison, the Prison Environment, Reincarceration Rates and Post-Release Outcomes Table of Contents Page Preface by Helena Huang, Open Society Institute .....................................................i-iii Introduction..................................................................................................................1 Executive Summary of the Research Findings ...............................................................3 College Education in Prison ..........................................................................................4 The Women at BHCF: Who’s in College? .................................................................6 Research Design ............................................................................................................9 Methods.....................................................................................................................9 Results.........................................................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • Participant Biographical Information
    Alliance @ Santa Fe July 16, 2013 Partcipant Biographies TOM AAGESON, CO-FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GLOBAL CENTER FOR CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Tom is the Executive Director of the Global Center for Cultural Entrpereneurship (GCCE). Tom previously served as the Executive Director the Museum of New Mexico Foundation where he successfully led a $25 million capital campaign. Since coming to Santa Fe, Tom has developed New Mexico Creates, an economic development initiative creating market links for New Mexico artists and artisans. He is the co-founder of the International Folk Art Market. Before coming to Santa Fe Tom was director of Aid to Artisans, an international artisan enterprise development NGO. Previous to that he was at the Mystic Seaport Museum where he created the Mystic Maritime Gallery, which led to opening new markets for maritime artists and eventually spawned six for-profit gallery enterprises across the US. The market for maritime art grew by several times as did the prices for maritime artists work. He started a graphics enterprise, Mystic Maritime Graphics, publishing prints, posters and books. Tom created New England clambakes as a catering business as Mystic Seaport Museum. He holds a MBA from Columbia University and BFT from the Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). NANCY ANDERSON, SWEET BIRD STUDIO Self-taught artist, craftswoman and teacher, Nancy founded Sweet Bird Studio in 1988 in her basement next to the furnace of her home. Sweet Bird Studio now can be found internationally in galleries and through her website, www.sweetbirdstudio.com. Sweet Bird Studio has exhibited for several decades at numerous trade shows such as the New York and L.A.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNUAL REPORT 2002 TENTH ANNIVERSARY EQUALITY NOW Was Founded in 1992 to Work for the Protection and Promotion of the Human Rights of Women Around the World
    IGUALDAD YA EQUALITY NOW EQUALITY EQUALITY NOW THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL ANNUAL REPORT 2002 TENTH ANNIVERSARY EQUALITY NOW was founded in 1992 to work for the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world. Working with national human rights organizations and individual activists, Equality Now documents violence and discrimination against women and adds an international action overlay to support their efforts to advance equality rights and defend individual women who are suffering abuse. Through its Women’s Action Network, Equality Now distributes information about these human rights violations to concerned groups and individuals around the world, along with recommended actions for publicizing and protesting them. The Women’s Action Network is committed to voicing a worldwide call for justice and equality for women. Issues of urgent concern to Equality Now include rape, domestic violence, reproductive rights, trafficking of women, female genital mutilation, and equal access to economic opportunity and political participation. EGALITE MAINTENANT a été fondée en 1992 afin de travailler pour la protection et la promotion des droits humains de la femme dans le monde entier. Travaillant avec des associations nationales pour les droits humains et avec des activistes individuels, Egalité Maintenant documente la violence et la discrimination contre les femmes, en ajoutant un élément d'action internationale pour soutenir les efforts de ces associations et activistes pour avancer les droits de la femme, et pour défendre des femmes individuelles maltraitées. Au moyen du Réseau Action Femmes, Egalité Maintenant transmet des renseignements sur ces violations des droits humains aux groupes et aux individus intéressés partout dans le monde, avec des actions recommandées pour faire connaître au public ces violations, et pour protester contre elles.
    [Show full text]
  • The Significance of the Time Person of the Year February 2018
    Our mission is to end the incidence and trauma of February 2018 domestic/intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and child Featured Artiiclles: abuse in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee Tiimes Person of Th e Year On October 16th, I wrote a blog in response to #metoo that dominated my Teen s Riise for Ju stiice social media feed. (Read the original blog post here.) I felt that as a male Teen Datiin g Viiollen ce Mon th Executive Director of a domestic and sexual violence organization, and the first male Executive Director n the organization's 32-year history, it was a Vollu n teer Opportu n iitiies teachable moment. And it turns out it was and continues to be. In the three months since that initial post by Alyssa Milano, #metoo has exploded with support as sexual assault and harassment survivors continue to speak up about their personal experiences. The #metoo movement has prompted other platforms like social, gender and racial justice to provide a safe place where individuals (and industry's) can be heard and supported without judgement, bias, or fear of backlash. The #itstime speech by Oprah Winfrey at the Golden Globes on January 7th empowered so many. Donate here As North Lake Tahoe and Truckee's domestic and sexual violence prevention organization, we feel that national attention of #metoo, #itstime and other platforms have signified an important shift in our social EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT conscious. The topics of sexual assault, harassment, inequality, and violence are no longer issues and topics that will be swept under the rug.
    [Show full text]
  • Doing Business: Women in Africa
    rica Doing d Bank Group Gender Action Plan Business WomeWomen Doing Business Women in Africa Doing Business is a series of annual The World Bank Group Gender Vital Voices Global Partnership is a reports investigating the regulations Action Plan is a four year initiative to leading non-governmental that enhance business activity and promote women’s economic organization (NGO) that identifies, those that constrain it. Doing empowerment and gender equality as trains, and empowers emerging Business presents quantitative smart economics. Launched by the women leaders and social indicators on business regulations World Bank at a conference hosted entrepreneurs around the globe, and the protection of property rights by German Chancellor Angela enabling them to create a better that can be compared across 178 Merkel in February 2007, the world for us all. We provide these economies—from Afghanistan to Gender Action Plan commits the women with the capacity, Zimbabwe—and over time. World Bank Group to intensify connections and credibility they need Regulations affecting 10 stages gender equality work in the to unlock their leadership potential. of a business’s life are measured: economic sectors over four years, in We enable women to become change starting a business, dealing with partnership with client countries, agents in their governments, licenses, employing workers, donors, the private sector, and other advocates to remove legal barriers, registering property, getting credit, development agencies. and supporters of democracy and the protecting investors, paying taxes, To date some $36 million has been rule of law. trading across borders, enforcing pledged for implementation. contracts and closing a business.
    [Show full text]